Every Saturday morning, I'll take a quick look at all the week's games, offering my own brief take on what I think will happen, as well as touching on significant injury news since our Weekly came out. I'll check in over the course of the day to answer questions, too.
The official rankings are the ones in the Weekly. Those take precedence. But sometimes players are very close, and in those cases I'm glad to offer opinions on how I'd approach those situations. Sometimes I like certain players more or less than Ian, and sometimes I have different risk tolerance with injuries etc. If I don't answer your question, either I missed it (it happens) or the rankings are very clear.
Falcons at Panthers: Falcons defense is improved and I can't rip them giving up next year's first-round pick for a pass rusher right now. With this game, it should be a heavy dose of Bijan Robinson and maybe Tyler Allgeier, with the passing game doing less and probably the Panthers offense struggling some. Chuba Hubbard and Tetairoa McMillan are the Panthers to consider, and might be the extent of their options all season.
Packers at Browns: I was a little surprised how high Luke Musgrave was in the Friday update. Not gonna argue and I'll concede the tight end position really dries up quickly, but I think on my team I'd be using Ertz and Warren (if I hear good things about his health tomorrow morning) over Musgrave. Fannin and Jeudy look like the only Browns I'd be considering. For Green Bay, it's Jacobs and Musgrave and that's about it. Both teams strong defensively so probably a lower scoring game. Green Bay a popular Survivor pick, not for me personally.
Texans at Jaguars: Houston defense is good but I'm thinking this game might be higher scoring anyway. Too much misplaced faith in Brian Thomas and Trevor Lawrence I suppose. I also like Nico Collins and C.J. Stroud, part of which is a lack of faith in the Texans running game led by Nick Chubb. We'll see. I'll revise my opinion of both passing games down if they don't come through in this game.
Bengals at Vikings: Jake Browning isn't Joe Burrow but I believe he can do a comparable impression, and guys like Chase and Higgins and Chase Brown will be fine. I am not however sold on Carson Wentz, though I still have faith in Justin Jefferson. Story saying the Vikings will be running Jordan Mason a lot in this game. Well, yeah. I agree with the high ranking of Mason. I mean, this is why you have him on your roster, right? To start him in a very good matchup when Aaron Jones is out? I like Mason here.
Steelers at Patriots: Ah yes, a classic defensive struggle between the hard-nosed Steelers and defensive-oriented Patriots. What's that? No seriously, probably some offensive production in this game. Very hard to lock in on a Patriots receiver, that's the big problem. But Maye and Rodgers and Metcalf and I guess Jonnu need to be considered. Jaylen Warren too, though probably more for his receiving work. Should have a better feel for these offenses after this game.
Rams at Eagles: Good game. Rams have played the Eagles tough, including last year, so maybe they'll be able to coax a little more passing out of them. I've seen comments that we were higher on DeVonta Smith than most. This is true, but it's partly because we were lower on A.J. Brown than everyone else. So we propped up Smith and downgraded Brown. Thus far, they're both terrible. Eventually I presume the Eagles will have to actually pass the ball to win some games, maybe this week. Rams offense looks OK to me and I think I like Kyren Williams a little more than Ian. Rams just paid the guy, I don't expect a tandem backfield with Blake Corum just yet.
Jets at Bucs: Originally the Bucs were my Survivor Pick. I switched off them in part because they're on a short week off an emotional, last-second road win, and in part because they're really banged-up -- offensive line especially, but also at receiver with Emeka Egbuka. I have Egbuka in a couple of leagues and at the moment I'm benching him, because I'm not certain he's playing and not confident he's fully healthy. I have no insight beyond what's on the injury report, worth watching the morning shows to see what's being said about him. In general I'm starting the healthy players I'd usually start in this one. Tyrod Taylor starting for the Jets isn't necessarily a bad thing for the offense.
Colts at Titans: The problem with the NFL and fantasy is the snap judgments. I get that we have to do this sometimes, if you're not early you might be too late. Props to Daniel Jones for his start but it's two games and a little early to start calling him comeback player of the year or whatever. Titans have some defensive injuries and maybe aren't good. But I think this will be a competitive game and there will be some offense, including for Cam Ward and Calvin Ridley. Love both running backs. Tyler Warren, I really want to use him, I have him everywhere and the dropoff to my backups is severe. So again, I'll be watching the morning shows and seeing what people are saying. If Warren is active I'm probably using him and taking my chances.
Raiders at Commanders: I've heard zero discussion about this being a Marcus Mariota revenge game, probably because few remember he was actually with the Raiders for two years. But he didn't make any starts for them, that was back when Derek Carr was around. Anyway, Raiders defense seems to be a little improved, though maybe it's too early to say for sure. Dan Quinn can take some deserved heat for having franchise QB Jayden Daniels limping around taking hits from Micah Parsons at the end of a game theRaiders were losing by three scores. He should anyway, but he's such a jolly-looking Santa sort that I haven't seen much. Whatever, good matchup it seems for Washington's offense, and Las Vegas' too.
Broncos at Chargers: Big game between two of three best teams in the AFC West. Still smarting over last week's stupid Broncos loss. Tough matchup, but could go either way. No Evan Engram or Will Dissly in this one. Tyler Conklin fills in for Chargers, Lucas Krull and Adam Trautman for Denver. Just checking boxes, I don't really think any should be started. Maybe Conklin catches a few passes. Hampton and Dobbins, sure, quarterback and top 2 wideouts for each team too. Three for the Chargers, though it's a tough secondary they're facing and at least one guy will be shut down. Think I'm using Troy Franklin somewhere, yes he's legit.
Saints at Seahawks: The most popular Survivor pick. But keep in mind the Seahawks secondary is really banged-up and the Saints have been competitive in their first two games. But yeah, I like Seattle. No Zach Charbonnet, a plus for Kenneth Walker. Saints I like Kamara and Juwan Johnson. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, natch.
Cowboys at Bears: Cowboys don't have DaRon Bland and the Bears will be pulling people out of the stands to start in their secondary. so I'm expecting some offense and passing in this game. Bears might not have D'Andre Swift, I hope they don't so we can see a little of Kyle Monangai who I've got on benches everywhere. If Russell Wilson can put up 450 on Dallas I'd like to think Caleb and Odunze and DJ can also do good things here. CeeDee, Jake Ferugson, Javonte, Pickens. Dak. Like them this week; each defense allowed 40-50 points last week.
Cardinals at 49ers: Some of the injury stuff just bothers me. What does it hurt for Kyle Shanahan to just say "Brock Purdy has multiple injuries, hasn't practiced, he ain't Brett Favre, he's not playing"? But no instead we get these "He's questionable, he has a shot, we'll see how things go..." Just, why. Rule him out and we can all move on. San Francisco defense has been better than I expected thus far, although it's early and they haven't exactly faced any juggernaut offenses, but credit to Robert Saleh. Still, I like Marvin Harrison and obviously Trey McBride and the running back tandem, it's just the tandem thing that makes it tricky. For San Francisco, Jauan Jennings is hurt and maybe he plays and maybe not. Seems like San Francisco is in the camp of playing guys if they're breathing, but I'd rather use Ricky Pearsall. Rollercoaster for McCaffrey teams so far -- he's healthy! He's hurt! No, he's good! For now he's good and those who gambled on him are happy. Tune in next week and we'll see.
Kansas City at Giants: I ended up going with Kansas City in my Survivor Pool. I hate to pick road teams and in general I avoid betting against teams as unlucky to lose as the Giants were last week. But I can't see any way, shape or form that KC drops to 0-3, and I've seen Russell Wilson against this defense a few times the last three years (five to be precise) and they've sacked him 5 times per game on average. Kansas City defense still really good and I think they have enough offense to get the win. Not really sure how this one ended up in primetime, but hopefully it surprises and is a good game. I will pass on all four running backs people are considering.
Lions at Ravens: On paper, this should be an entertaining matchup between two of each conference's better teams. Alas, I do have in my memory a Lions team with a lot of similar players going into Baltimore just two years ago and losing 38-6. Yes it was two years ago, this is 0-0, but you know. I'm using Amon-Ra and LaPorta and Gibbs, but am just a little nervous about Jared Goff. For Baltimore, Derrick Henry and Zay and Lamar obviously.
Enjoy the games.